Dad

I'm sure most people that read this blog are aware of what has been going on--but I did want to post an update on my dad. Last Saturday he was in a motorcycle accident. The morning started off fairly typical. He and my uncle Jacobus love to ride their Harleys together and meet about once a week for a meal and then return home. It was after leaving breakfast with him and on his way home that the accident occurred. He was traveling through a construction area and somehow--avoiding a vehicle merging or something else in the roadway (still unclear)--laid his bike down.

Most of his injuries are on the left side of his body: starting with a small brain bleed, most of his bones in his right arm were broken requiring plates and rods be put in to preserve his arm and as much function as possible. He also has a collapsed lung, at least 9 broken ribs and some slight internal bleeding related to his spleen.

With all of that being said, we have been AMAZED at the progress he has made. When Justin and I arrived at the hospital on Saturday evening, I was really upset by the way he looked. We saw him post-surgery so he was in a medically induced coma--scary for a kid that has never seen her dad in a position anything like that. He is always the one who takes care of others. I kept thinking that he was the one who comes to the hospital to take care of me. When I walked in, and even after being prepared by Brandon, I still couldn't help letting out a small cry. Then, unbelievably he started to reach for me and was struggling to open his eyes. Everyone was amazed that he was able to respond at all--Juliann said she was just in there with him singing songs to him and he didn't move a muscle--I walk in and he tries to sit up. It was so scary and sad to see him struggling like that and I knew it wasn't good for him to be agitated. I told him I loved him very much and walked out. I actually did walk back in after getting it together again but it's like he knew I was there and started to struggle again--this time the nurses said that he was too agitated and it would be best to let him rest. As devastated as I was to leave, I knew it was best.

Thank God Juliann (my oldest sister) lives about 9 miles from the hospital. After a long day--Justin and I were in Alabama that morning after vacation--it was good to have a place to rest for a few hours. Brandon, Chandra (and her boyfriend Marc), Justin and I headed back to the critical care surgery unit the next morning so we could hear what was going on from the doctors as they completed their rounds. They were really good about explaining his injuries and answering our questions.

By about 10 or 11 o'clock on Sunday morning they were able to remove dad's ventilator and it was such a blessing to hear him talk again!! Chandy said it was the most precious sound she had ever heard and we all agreed. He was able to talk to us and to the medical staff. Being under so much pain medication and suffering such a traumatic event, sometimes he got a little confused and had trouble remembering things. Totally understandable--I remember dad telling me how goofy I was after getting only my wisdom teeth removed!

The doctors were also fairly confident that he wasn't feared to have any significant neck or back injuries and so they were able to remove his neck brace. With the breathing tube and the neck collar removed, he started to look more like dad--just a slightly swelled and bruised version :) Dad has some blood clotting issues and takes a blood thinner medicine for the problem. Having his injuries-that medicine wasn't okay for him to take-so the doctors began to worry about blood clots. Especially ones in his legs that had the potential to move up into his heart and lungs. They suggested placing a type of filter in one of his major veins near his groin. The filter would stop any clots from moving upward especially because he was lying in a bed so immobile. So, he went in for another surgery. About an hour later we were told that he did really well and that the filter was in place. Dad looked like nothing had even happened after this surgery and it was so great to see him getting stronger!

It was really tough to leave him alone. There were SO MANY people that came by the hospital (and even more that were sending their love and prayers) that we had to start limiting visits--a good problem to have :) but Mr. Popular needed some rest, too! We started taking pictures of people in the waiting room so we could show dad later just how many came to see him. We also bought a little notebook in the gift shop so people could write him a little note. Later in the day he was able to start drinking clear liquids. Until that evening he could only have a little water through a sponge. He was also supposed to be doing some breathing exercises to keep his lung inflated--and although it was extremely painful with his broke ribs, he did them like a champ! It seemed like every hour he was making progress, and he was.

By Sunday evening Justin and I felt like it was alright to head back to Cleveland for a few days. Dad was in such a good place with so many people around him. And, after being gone for 10 days we had to check on our house. Mary-Margaret (my step-mom) hardly left his side for a moment :) and is still there with him. Brandon and Chandy stayed until Monday evening and I knew I could get updates from them. I still hated leaving and asked Justin to reassure me that it was alright about a million times.

After I got out of work yesterday I was able to talk to dad on the phone--with Mary-Margaret holding it up to his ear :) He sounded terrific and I loved hearing his voice again. He said it's going to be a slow road to recovery, but recover he will. I am so blessed to have such a strong and positive dad. He took his first steps, with his brother Henry's assistance, making the catheter no longer necessary. I know he was happy about that! His chest tube is still in but the doctors were able to remove his oxygen tubes from his nose last night.

I know I have forgotten a lot, but I did want to write what I can remember. Please continue to pray for dad and his recovery. We are all so thankful that he is still alive and here with us and give ALL of our praise to God for how well he is doing!